Happy Summer Everyone!

There are some new and exciting things happening here at Johnson’s!

As we kick off our summer advertising campaign, we have a lot of neat things underway!

First off, make sure to check out our new Facebook page! You can find us under “Johnson’s Heating, Cooling & Plumbing.” Once you find us, be sure to like our page!

Also, keep an eye out for our new summer commercial. It features our TV star Abby and one of our very own service technicians here at Johnson’s! You can find our new commercial on Channel 4 WTAE during the morning, afternoon and evening times.  

Lastly, all of our new summer billboards (“Abby Says, Be Cool!”) are now up including a brand new digital billboard that we are on. You can find this new digital billboard on Route 30 in Greensburg!

From all of us here at Johnson’s, we wish a safe and happy summer! And remember …..

“Abby says, BE COOL!”

10 Cooling Tips for Summer

• Have your air conditioning system tuned-up for the season so that you are running at peak efficiency. Operating at peak efficiency will save you money because the system doesn’t have to work as hard to do its job!

• Keep the thermostat constant. Continuously adjusting the thermostat can be very inefficient. You can, however, raise the thermostat 2-3 degrees during the day while you’re away to save money. For every degree you raise the setting, you can expect to cut energy consumption by up to 3-5%.

• Flip the fan switch on your thermostat into the “fan on” mode when cooling the house. This process will ensure that air is always being stirred to prevent hot and cold pockets from forming.

• Set air vents on the second floor to receive approximately 75 percent of the conditioned air. This will help even out the temperatures from the first to the second floor of the home.

• Replace older windows with more efficient low-E glass. These windows help to reduce the effect of the suns warming rays. Also, keep storm windows closed.

• Install an attic fan to help ventilate some of the hot air out of the attic. Attics can reach temperatures of 140 – 150 degrees and this buildup of warm air can make the upstairs of a home warmer than it needs to be. This makes the air conditioner work harder to do its job!

• Run a dehumidifier in the basement if the basement is humid. A damp basement can add moisture to the whole house. A dehumidifier in the basement will help to reduce the humidity levels in your home, making it more comfortable throughout the hot summer months.

• Clear or cut back shrubs and bushes from the outdoor unit. The sides of the unit require at least 12-18 inches of clearance for proper performance. Keep fallen leaves, grass clippings, foliage and other dirt and debris away from your outdoor unit. And keep the air conditioning coils clean, following manufacturers’ instructions.

• Don’t block vents or ducts inside the house to assure air flow in the home. Caulk and install weather stripping around windows and doors (especially the attic) to close air gaps.

• Use shades, blinds or curtains to keep sunlight out of the house. Keep windows and doors closed when the air conditioner is on. Turn off lamps, TV and other appliances when not in use and turn air conditioners off if you are going to be gone more than four hours.

10 Heating Tips for Winter

1. Have your furnace system tuned-up for the season.
   Furnaces that are left without preventative maintenance have a huge risk of causing safety issues around the home. One of the most common is the production of poisonous carbon monoxide (CO) gas, an odorless, colorless gas that can cause nausea, dizziness, and even death. Having your heating system professionally inspected and repaired can reduce the risk of harmful CO buildups, keeping your home safer throughout the heating season. Also, a heating system tune-up can prevent your furnace from costing you a small fortune to use. Because your heating system has been dormant for so long, it needs a little maintenance to get it ready to run properly again. Without this maintenance, it can be sluggish and inefficient, which means higher energy costs every month.
2. Set the thermostat correctly.
   The most economical operation of your system comes from setting the thermostat properly. Set the thermostat at the lowest winter setting at which you are comfortable. Typical settings are 68 degrees for winter heating. When heating, your operating costs increase similarly for each degree your thermostat is raised.
3. Keep the air filter clean.
   The easiest way to ensure your system operates efficiently and economically is by keeping the air filter clean. There are several types of air filters and several possible locations for the air filter. Ask your service technician next time he’s out at your home to show you where your air filter is located and which type of filter to use. If you have allergies, you should look at a pleated allergy filter or a media or electronic style air cleaner.
4. Keep doors and windows closed.
   Close all doors and windows to the outside. This will reduce the heating load in winter and your system will operate more economically as a result.
5. Keep vents and grilles unobstructed.
   Arrange your furniture and drapes so that all output vents and intake grilles are free from obstruction. This will reduce the heating load on your system for more economical operation.
6. Avoid excess use of exhaust fans.
   Excessive use of kitchen or bathroom exhaust fans will make your system work harder. This will increase energy consumption and costs. Keep costs in check by making wise use of exhaust fans.
7. Control direct sunlight.
   Let the sun in during the winter. In winter, direct sunlight reduces the load on your heating system. Open window shades and awnings to increase direct sunlight and lower the heating load.
8. Keep heat away from the thermostat.
   Make sure no heat-generating appliances are near your thermostat. These include lamps, TV’s, stereos and computer equipment.
9. Use ceiling fans in reverse.
   You can save energy in the winter by reversing the direction of your ceiling fans to a counterclockwise direction. This pushes the any warm air that rises back down into the living spaces.
10. Weatherization.
    Warm air leaking out of your home during the winter can waste a substantial portion of your energy dollars. One of the quickest dollar-saving tasks you can do is caulk, seal and weather-strip all seams, cracks and openings to the outside. You can save 10% or more on your energy bill by reducing the air leaks in your home.